Orlando City slump leads to Kreis' dismissal

Orlando City SC was flying high earlier this season with a franchise-record six-match winning streak.

But the good times quickly disintegrated and the squad set another franchise mark with six straight setbacks.

Coach Jason Kreis paid for the slump as Orlando City (6-8-1) fired him on Friday and tabbed assistant Bobby Murphy as interim coach.

“This is a very difficult decision to take, but sometimes in sports we must make tough decisions with the best future of the organization in mind,” Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitao said in a team statement. “I have enormous respect for Jason and the work his team did in Orlando. He arrived in a difficult moment and is leaving with a legacy of respect and professionalism. Now is the time to look forward, keep our heads high and continue pushing toward the many goals we set this season.”

Kreis, 45, went 21-29-14 in parts of three seasons with the club.

He took over in July of the 2016 campaign and went 5-6-4 the rest of the season. The Lions went 10-15-9 last season.

Things were looking upbeat after the six-game winning streak. But the ensuing collapse was brutal and Orlando City has lost each of its last three games by three goals, including Wednesday’s 3-0 road setback against the Montreal Impact.

Orlando City’s next game is also against the Impact on June 23 at Orlando City Stadium.

Kreis has also served as head coach for MLS franchises Real Salt Lake and New York City FC. Prior to that, he was a player for the Dallas Burn and Real Salt Lake and made 14 appearances for the U.S. national team.